Page:Old Westland (1939).pdf/89

Rh it along the bank until they came to Lake Sumner. Here they turned loose their horses owing to the rough nature of the country, and dividing their food, tents, etc., among themselves, proceeded on foot. Bad weather set in when they reached the foot of the saddle, and for two days they were compelled to stay in camp. As soon as the weather cleared they started again and reached the top of the pass without mishap. From here they were able to see about twenty miles down the valley of the Taramakau. For some distance this valley was narrow and very rough, high boulders being strewn in every direction, while the bush was thick and hard to travel in—being almost impenetrable. After they had battled their way about fifteen miles down the Taramakau, they came to the Otira River, where they were compelled to camp for some days owing to the bad weather prevailing. Again resuming their journey, they made rapid progress to Lake Brunner. Here they rested a few days, the Maoris with them advising that the Arnold River was navigable for canoes, and that they could make the Mawhera Settlement easily in one day, but the party decided to proceed by way of the Taramakau. The going from this point became much rougher and it was decided to construct a raft of flax sticks and use this as a means of transport. The raft being completed, they camped for the night on an island